An Essential Repurchase

I'm not really one for repurchasing lip products.  Mainly because I feel I own too many already and there is always something new and exciting to try out!

However....this all changed last week.

I finished my Revlon Super Lustrous Peach Petal lipgloss that I bought around a year ago - you can see a swatch here and actually on my lips here - and I had a very (minor) panic that I could just not live without it.  My dramatic side coming out...!

It is just gorgeous.  A perfect milky pale pink gloss that looks fantastic on its own or over the top of a lipstick for a glossy nude finish.  The packaging is sleek and stylish and with pretty much every day use, the product lasted a year.  As for the finish, it isn't drying or overly sticky and lasts for a good length of time.  

This will forever be in my collection!

I've definitely got my eye on a few more shades from the range - any recommendations?!

xxx

In The Mix

How many times have you bought another new product because you felt that nothing in your collection fits a specific bill?!

However...2 products mixed together can sometimes provide you with your dream product with no extra expense needed.

Example numero uno:

Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation &

 Revlon Skin Lights Highlighter

The gorgeous weather over the last week or so made me crave a dewy finish foundation but still with the longevity and coverage I need.  I have to admit, I was contemplating spending another £25.50 on Double Wear light but, a 50/50 mix of these products stopped me in my tracks.

The finish is one that dreams are made of: skin that looks flawless, dewy and healthy all day.

The coverage is only slightly reduced by the highlighter and the lasting power maybe is cut by maybe one or two hours but this is something I can deal with for the beautiful effect.

The power of this mix is also that you can create your perfect finish by adapting the quantities - a little less highlighter when more coverage is needed say at night; a little more for a low coverage day time look.  It is also perfect for sheering out the foundation if you get a bit of colour from the sun.

Unfortunately, Skin Lights in no longer available but any liquid highlighter would fit the bill.  Benefit High Beam, No 7 Skin Illuminator and Me Me ME Beat The Blues - I'm looking at you!

Nail Varnish Wishes

For some reason, all of my nail varnishes have decided to become overworked and gloopy all at the exact same time.  I've tried my OPI thinner and regular nail varnish remover but to no avail...they are all pretty much useless.

But what a perfect time to invest in some gorgeous new colours!  Spring heralds the arrival of beautiful yellows and peaches; blue and violets; corals and pinks..

Here are just a selection of the beauties I've spotted and will hopefully get my hands on over the next few weeks...

Revlon's latest offerings in Blue Lagoon and Sunshine Sparkle

Currently on offer at 2 for £8 in Boots

Barry M's new Blue Moon and Peach Melba

Models Own Lilac Dream and Coral Reef

MaxFactor Mini Diva Violet and Diva Coral

17 Candy Collection:

 Orange Soda, Sherbet Lemon, Fairy Cake, Mint Choc Chip & Parma Violet

What nail colours are you lusting after this season?!

xxx

Foundation Trial: Revlon Colorstay (Normal/Dry)

What would a foundation trial be without this classic?!

A supposed dupe for MAC Studio Fix Fluid and a cult product in the beauty community, it is raved about and loved by many.

I can see why although Double Wear still wins through and here is why...

Availability:  Readily bought in Boots and Superdrug etc, this classic is accessible to everyone which is definitely one of its best points.  As a low end cosmetic, £12.50 for a bottle may be slightly high but it is regularly on offer so a bargain can usually be had!  Also, if you are confident of your shade, a quick google search provides a few outlets where you can buy it for less.  

Colour: From the Revlon website, it is apparent there are 12 shades with a variety of pink, yellow and neutral tones which for a low end product, is commendable!  These shades however do lie on the fairer end of the scale which may mean the darker skinned girls amongst us may be unable to find a suitable colour. 

Consistency and Application: This specific foundation claims to be complete with 'SoftFlex' that provides lightweight comfort.  Although there is no so explanation of what that actually is,  I would say  the claim is true!  Although a thick product that dries quickly and needs to be applied to one area of the face at a time, it does feel lightweight once on and not like you are caked in make up.  I personally find no real difference when applied with a brush or sponge - just personal preference with this! 

Coverage: A medium coverage that can be sheered out using a wet sponge but I would say is not that buildable to full coverage as can look cakey with two layers. 

Finish: Due to the Normal/Dry formulation, a semi-matte finish is provided.  I prefer to set any concealed areas with powder but to leave the rest with a more natural finish.

Lasting Power:  This is where the problem lies...  The foundation unfortunately does not provide the 16 hour wear that is promises.  After a 10 hour day, whereas the Double Wear still looks perfect, this had worn off unevenly and caused my concealer, bronzer and blusher to lose their staying power too.  In all honestly, I'd had preferred to have no make up on at all.

Overall: Although I have used this foundation on and off for years and it probably will continue to a be a staple in my collection, it doesn't hold the appeal that once did.  It is a lovely foundation that provides a fresh look for a few hours but not for a long day.  It also contains SPF which results in awful flash back in photographs thus negating its use for a night out.

I think it's a foundation that everyone should try but there are definitely better ones out there!  I would recommend this to somebody with a normal, not overly dry, skin type that requires a few hours wear of medium coverage.

In general - a 6/10 and the Double Wear is definitely winning out!

Coming soon: MaxFactor 2nd Skin and Ruby & Millie Sheer Base

Mini haul Featuring Cosmopolitan, Collection 2000 and Revlon

I am on a slight spending ban due to my travelling plans for after graduation but as a self confessed product junkie, my Christmas money had to go somewhere...

Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge

I've been aware of the Beauty Blender for quite some time but I could never force myself to part with upwards of £15 for what was, essentially, a sponge.  

However, when I saw Holly recommend this sponge for under £5 I mentally saved it and had to purchase it when I just happened to stumble into Superdrug..

Revlon Contour Shadow Brush

Another beauty tool, another recommendation.  This time from the wonderful gossmakeupartist aka Wayne.  Not only is he an extremely talented make up artist and brutally honest about products, he's also a complete babe - honestly, I could watch him for hours!

When he stated that this brush was a dupe for MAC's 224 brush, I was instantly sold.  Who wants to pay twenty odd pounds when you can try this for £7-ish?!  I will report back on it...

Collection 2000 Volume Sensation Waterproof Mascara and 24 Hour Felt Tip Black Liner

To be honest, two slightly unnecessary purchases.. I needed a new waterproof mascara as I find they hold the curl so much better and I was bored with my L'oreal liner - I'm so fickle!!

Revlon Fire & Ice Lipstick

As a lover of all things 1940s, I just couldn't resist the new re-promote of Revlon's classic lip colour from the era - Fire and Ice.  Supposedly a neutral based red, I felt it the easiest and most classic way to try the red lip.  I personally think it is quite orange based but it is flattering all the same and I absolutely love wearing it.  

Prepare for a FOTD coming this way soon..

xxx

Modern 60s

Dewy skin, dark cut crease and pinky nude lips

FACE

Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation

Bobbi Brown Corrector then Creamy Concealer under eyes

No 7 Transparent Créme Touch Powder to set

No 7 High Lights Illuminating Powder in Island Glow to Contour

No 7 Blushers in Soft Damson and Honey blended onto cheeks

MAC Hush Cream Colour Base to highlight cheekbones

EYES

MAC Bare Canvas Paint all over lid

Urban Decay Whiskey eyeliner through socket and on upper & lower lash lines

Urban Decay Buck eyeshadow blended through the socket over the liner

Sleek matte black shadow put lightly through socket to darken

L'oreal Super Liner Carbon Gloss along upper lash line and flicked out

L'oreal Voluminous Mascara

Sleek matte brown shadow through brows

[In hindsight, I would have thickened the flick and added lashes - but there is always next time!]

LIPS

Prestige Silk Lip Liner

MAC Hue Lipstick

Revlon Peach Petal Lipgloss

xxx

IN & OUT #3

IN

Revlon Colorstay - An old favourite that I've left unloved at the bottom of my make up stash for months and months.  I tried it out again yesterday and I'm back in love.  I always apply it with my fingers to give it a slightly lighter coverage than with a brush and I find I need no powder to set it and it lasts all day.

Lee Stafford Growth Treatment - After washing my hair yesterday I left this in for hours.  My hair now feels so smooth and shiny and my split ends appears to be banished.  This is obviously a very temporary cure for them but I can pretend...!

Simple Eye Make Up - I am obsessed with smoky eyes but I currently love just black eyeliner and mascara on the upper lash line only.  Pretty, simple, quick and makes you look so awake when you really just want to crawl back into bed.

New Shoes - I desperately need winter clothes but who cares if you freeze if you've got good shoes on?!  I will post some pictures soon...

OUT

Hair Extensions - I'm not quite ready to go without them on a night out but for the day I pretty much never wear them anymore.  I feel like my hair is now nearing the length I've been longing for - partly thanks to the Lee Stafford treatment I feel!  Cheers Lee ;)

Muji - 9 working days for payment to taken from me and then over 15 working days for delivery?!  Ummm, refund please!  What a joke..!

La Senza Lucy Lace Bras - Pretty but so incredibly uncomfortable..

Sibling Rivalry - My brother and I never really got on but in the last few months he has really grown up and we get on really well.  He has just started his degree at UCL and I am so incredibly proud of him.

THEN      

NOW

                                                                         

He definitely won in the height department....

Coming soon - Shoe haul, Weather appropriate nails and Perfume favourites..

Foundation Ramble & Favourites

This post started life as the 2nd of my '5 Favourites' series... However, I soon realised that I actually don't LOVE any of the foundations I own or have tried.  I am still very much on the quest to find that one foundation that does everything I want it to....

• Even out my skin tone
• Help to conceal redness around my nose and on my cheeks (to be then topped up with concealer if needed)
• Leave me with dewy, healthy, fresh looking skin (My skin is pretty much 'normal' but slightly on the dry side)
• Look fresh all day - with only the occasional sweep of powder needed

Not too much to ask for is it?! 

The reality is that my skin is OK and in the last few months I have wanted to use this to my advantage.  I therefore now look for a more natural, dewy looking foundation whereas before I aspired to a matte look.  It is this change of heart which means I am now lemming Bobbi Brown Skin, NARS Sheer Glow and Chanel Pro or Vital Lumiere.  I have always been a bit wary of buying high end foundations as the few times I have, I have always been colour matched wrongly or hated the product after a day.  However now I feel more comfortable in my product knowledge and colouring I think I need to take the plunge.  I am hoping to get a few samples next time I am in Selfridges to see how they wear on my skin - I really do not want to throw £30 down the drain!

So for the moment, I can't really say I have five foundations that I really love or would highly recommend.  I have however used a few in the past that if push came to shove, I would happily use...

In no particular order:

MaxFactor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation

This is the foundation that I am currently using and it has featured in my FOTD posts.  I did really like and I have purchased it a few times but I have recently changed my mind and I'm not so crazy about it anymore.

It is a solid foundation which turns to a liquid on contact with your skin and dries matte.  I apply this with a sponge and I would say it gives a light to medium buildable coverage which is what I like.

I am however finding it now slightly too matte for me and it also works out very expensive at £11.99 for only  11.5g which with every day use, only lasts a month or so..

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup

This was the first high end foundation I purchased and I still remember the thrill of sitting on the stool getting myself colour matched!  However, back then I didn't know to check in natural light first and was pretty upset when I got home, tried it out and realised how orange I looked.  I should, with hindsight, have taken it back but I decided to stick with it.  After a little fake tannage it looked OK and I actually really liked the finish.  It keeps you matte in your t-zone and hydrated in any dry areas.  I would repurchase this I think but get in the right colour..!

Ruby & Millie Sheer Base

I first really started experimenting with make up when I had about 20 of the Boots £5 No 7 and Ruby & Millie vouchers a few years ago.  I picked this up one day and used it for months.  It is a pump action brush-on foundation and gives a very light coverage, perfect for day time.  It does need a slight setting with powder on the t-zone but gives the cheeks a lovely glow.

L'oreal Studio Secrets HD Smoothing Foundation

Perhaps my favourite of this selection.  Another brush on foundation which provides a medium coverage.  It does leave me looking dewy but perhaps TOO dewy?  If my skin was slightly drier this would be HG material.  However, as it is, I still need to powder over the top.

Honourable Mentions

• Revlon Colorstay - Of course, a somewhat cult product.  I don't mind this for evenings when I want a serious heavy duty foundation but for the most part I have to mix this with tinted moisturiser as I really am not a fan of the heavy matte look it provides.  It is OK, but I don't love it.

• ELF Mineral Powder Foundation - I like this to set my foundation on nights out or over tinted moisturiser in the day for no-make-up-make-up-days.  I'm not sure it really gives any coverage though and the lightest colour only looks right on me when I have serious fake tan on.  I like it though for my first try of mineral make up.

I really feel like no matter how great your eye make up is or how pretty your lipstick is, your base needs to be as flawless as possible.  Foundation is therefore the one product I would spend the most on and invest the most time researching.  I am very fickle though and get bored and like choice.  Even if I found a HG product, I'd still probably search for a better one...!  I also hate shopping for it - the potential of getting the wrong colour and also needing one for when tanned; pale; in between - arrrggghh the drama ..!

I love how my skin looks here but I can't for the life of me remember what I had on - always the way!

What are your HG foundations and have you tried the NARS, Chanel or BB?

xxx

Like, Love, Hate

Thank you Caz for tagging me to do this!  I thought I would use it as my first in/out sort of post. So here are the things I'm liking, loving and hating as of right now...

LIKE

RedKen anti snap – If I could only use one product on my hair for the rest of my life, this would be it. It has seriously made the world of difference to my hair and it smells gorgeous too.

Revlon Lipgloss in Peach Petal - I bought this a week or so ago and I have used it every day since. It is basically GOSH Darling but in a lipgloss and therefore a little bit easier to wear.

Receiving awards for my blog – I will get round to posting about them tomorrow!

Xen-Tan Deep Bronze – I've applied this twice now and I really do like it. I don't LOVE it though. It does give an amazing colour but even though I left it for 8 hours a lot of colour still rinsed off in the shower. It also stains your hands so badly and if you do mess a bit up it seems impossible to scrub off. Not HG material but I do like it. I may do a more in-depth review next week sometime.

LUSH sugar scrub - The scrub is really abrasive and left my skin so amazingly smooth. It doesn't smell all that great – slightly medicinal due to the fennel and ginger it contains but I can deal with it considering the way it made my skin feel. This costs £2.60 and I got 4 applications out of it. I would therefore definitely re-purchase for those huge body blitzes we all need now and then, especially with summer fast approaching.

LUSH Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter – This stuff is just amazing. The tiniest bit can do both hands and so £5.50 for a pot is amazing. I have also been using it on my feet over night and I wake up with soft, supple feet – what every girl needs!

Pastel nail varnishes – I seriously cannot enough. Currently I have on OPI's Panda-monium Pink but this will change tomorrow I should think! I'll definitely post some NOTD's this week.

Heated Rollers – I completely forgot that I own a set of Babyliss heated rollers – how awful is that? I decided that they need some love and so I used them before I went out last night. I love how easy they make doing your hair, they take 10 minutes to pop in and then you can forget about them and do something else. No faffing around in front of the mirror for half an hour with tongs. I feel they may make a welcome return to my hair routine from now on.

Hollister – Polo shirts; lumberjack shirts; candy striped cami's; distressed denim mini skirts...enough said really. I won't be able to get away with preppy clothes for much longer so I am embracing them now. They do need to sort out the lighting in their shops though – I always manage to walk into something. And did you know the sales assistant's are auditioned to say 'Hi, what's up?' for when they greet customers? Ridiculous, no?! If they fail they get banished to stock room duties....ouch.

The L'oreal 'Scrublet' – This little baby makes my skin feel refreshed and thoroughly cleansed. The little bristles seem to work themselves into your pores and clean them deep down. I think my skin is definitely look a lot more revitalised since purchasing this bad boy.

Summer holidays – Seeing as my trip to Crete got cancelled this week I can't wait to get some real sun this summer in France, Spain and possibly Ibiza. I now just need to update my summer wardrobe...

Being back in Manchester – I loved being at home but it is great to be back with all my friends and to feel independent again. Had a fantastic night out last night but completely forgot to take any photos so I can't do an OOTN for you...sorry guys!

LOVE

Rediscovering my old foundation routine. I'm not quite sure why I ever changed as it makes my skin look flawless. The saviours?

Nivea Young tinted moisturiser
MaxFactor Liquid Illusion foundation
GOSH Touch Up Concealer
No 7 Crème Touch powder buffed in with a kabuki

I was at my wit's end a week or so ago when no foundation seemed to sit properly on my face for more than half an hour. I then remembered this routine and swiftly when to Boots to repurchase all the products. Cue semi-matte flawless looking skin that lasts the test of time. I'm not going to bother experimenting anymore with foundations – until I get bored again.

HATE

Leggings with a top that doesn't cover the crotch area – not a good look for anybody! Especially when the leggings are basically extra thick tights and you can see a girl's underwear...come on girls sort it out!

Messy housemates – 2 hours of cleaning mess that wasn't mine? Let's just say my Friday afternoon was not an enjoyable one.

Cracked heels and unpainted toe nails – Pedicures should be free on the NHS. Why bother with pretty flip flops and gladiators if your feet ruin the look?! Argh I hate feet at the best of times!

Looming exams – I should be revising but blogging is such a welcome distraction!

Unblended eyeshadow – one of the worst beauty crimes??!

I was meant to mention 3 more but I guess I'm just in a happy place right now! No other things I'm hating at the moment...

I tag anyone who hasn't done this yet as I know it has done the rounds a bit!

xxx

Yesterday

The Outfit

Top: River Island

Belt: ASOS

Jeans: Crafted at Republic

The Hair

Curled the same as in my hair routine.  I decided to go sans hair extensions - this warm weather makes me want to embrace the natural side of things!

The make up

MaxFactor Miracle Touch Foundation - 45 Warm Almond

GOSH Touch Up Concealer - 2

No 7 Creme Touch Face Powder - Translucent - Lightly on t-zone

Prestige Glam Tan 

MAC Paint - Bare Canvas - All over the lip

MAC Eyeshadow - Tempting - Outer third of lid; Lower lash line

Bourjois Clubbing Mascara

ELF Eyebrow Kit - Medium

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss - Peach Petal

Click on photos for a more detailed view xxx

Quick FOTD

Hola bloggers!

Just a very quick FOTD for you, using a new foundation which I purchased on a whim from Boots the other day from Collection 2000 for a mere £3.99 (details below).  I have to say, it performs very well and has put my faith back into drugstore foundations after falling out of love with Colorstay.

Collection 2000 Naturally Radiant Foundation (Natural Beige) mixed 50/50 with Olay Complete Care Multi-radiance moisturiser

GOSH Touch Up concealer (2) under eyes

No 7 Mosaic Bronzer to contour

Revlon Skinlights to highlight

L'oreal True Match (Rose Beige) to set t-zone

ELF Eyebrow Kit (Medium)

MAC Next to Nothing all over eye lid

Bourjois Volume Clubbing Waterproof Mascara

GOSH Darling

Sleek navy eyeshadow (Storm palette) smudged along lower lash line

MOR Lip Delight - Passionflower

Any questions about the products I used?  Let me know in the comments!

xxx